Williams Sisters’ Health Future is Not Optimistic

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 17th December 2010

Williams Sisters’ Health Future is Not Optimistic

Venus Williams (USA) is treated by a WTA trainer |

The saga of the Williams sisters’ respective injuries continues. While Serena’s right foot continues to give it concern it now emerges she does not expect to return to competition until April. Meanwhile Venus’ latest admission seems to suggest she will also not contest next month’s Australian Open.

Serena’s struggles with the right foot she lacerated on broken glass in a Munich bar in July have been well chronicled but it now seems her absence from top flight tennis will extend to nine months.

Venus has been more private about her rehabilitation from knee surgery she underwent soon after reaching the US Open semi-final in September. However, with the start of play at Melbourne Park less than a month away she has revealed she is nowhere near ready to take to the practice courts.

“I have been getting therapy and making progress but must continue to keep the weight off my knee,” said Venus who last year reached the Australian Open quarter finals and within a month went on to win back to back titles in Dubai and Acapulco. “There is nothing I can do about not playing any more in 2010 so I want to make sure I can look forward to the New Year.

“Serena and I are OK. We don’t need people feeling sorry for us. I’m working to ensure I heal properly.”

Last month Serena optimistically suggested the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami – just a gentle drive from the family home in Palm Beach Gardens and something of a Serena stronghold with five titles – but now it appears as though another month of rehabilitation is required after two bouts of surgery.

A return so late in the year would cast doubts over the younger Williams sister’s chances of appearing at the French Open – the major she has won only once and that as long ago as 2002 – but would allow her plenty of time to get back into the swing of things for Wimbledon where she will be aiming to get her hands on the trophy for the fifth time.

Serena’s latest statement said: “I hope to be out of the cast and back on court by the spring. I looked at my foot and knew it shouldn’t be like that. The big toe was drooping and it was obvious something wasn’t right. I had a scan and the doctors decided I shouldn’t play.

“Pushing myself back into intensive training only caused further injury and damage. While I desperately want to get back, it is imperative for my health that I continue to work with my doctors to ensure my foot heals properly.”

Topics: Australian Open, Bouts, Broken Glass, Fifth Time, French Open, Knee Surgery, Melbourne Park, Nine Months, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Plenty Of Time, Practice Courts, Quarter Finals, Right Foot, Sony Ericsson Open, Stronghold, Swing Of Things, Top Flight, Williams Sister, Williams Sisters